Pennsburg To Fix Up Main St. * Committee Plans A Survey Of Businesses To Chart A Course For The Borough Business District.

September 09, 1997|by DIANE MARCZELY, The Morning Call

Money has come in, bylaws are written and a nominating committee is seeking officers as Pennsburg's Main Street Committee ventures forward to improve the borough's business district.

"It's going to be a very good go," said Pennsburg Mayor William Umbehauer, who owns the Picture Frame Co. on Main Street.

A $500 pledge toward the committee's operating expenses has come from Jeffrey Brode, one of the partners of Brode Real Estate on Main Street. Another $250 pledge came from Ted Hopkins, owner of Faraday's health food store on Main Street.

Hopkins said he made the financial commitment because he's hoping the group will make aesthetic improvements to the business district and do some marketing.

"What I'm hoping we can accomplish is to clean up Main Street and make people more aware of the businesses in the area so they're not leaving to shop," Hopkins said. "Most of what they travel for they can find right here."

The two pledges will help the Main Street Committee incorporate as the Pennsburg Non-Profit Redevelopment Corp., Umbehauer said. Besides incorporating, the group soon will pass bylaws and choose officers. Those tasks are expected to be done at the Sept. 25 meeting.

The group also will write and distribute a survey. The survey of business owners and residents in the business district and surrounding areas will give the group an idea of what they would like to see Main Street become.

In addition, the group will sponsor a one-day workshop in which Montgomery County planners and others will educate the members on what is happening on Main Streets elsewhere.

Members will tour Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and other business districts that have been successful, Umbehauer said.